work search and career development blog

3 Questions to ask BEFORE the Interview

Getting called for an interview is THE goal of the job search process. Exuberance can easily trump rationale if you aren’t careful.

When a job seeker receives a phone call for an interview, sometimes the excitement and nervous energy can replace the need to ask some important questions. If the following information is not provided by the recruiter or human resources professional prior to the interview, these questions may assist in preparing for the process.

Use these 3 questions to ensure “getting the call” goes smoothly.

Where do I go? The bigger the company, the more challenging it may be to find your interview destination. There may be a visitor’s parking area or a specific entrance that’s closest to the interview location. Whether you drive or take public transit, be sure to do a “test run” of how long it will take you to get to the location.

Who will be interviewing me? It’s perfectly acceptable for a job seeker to know who in the company will be present at the interview. It may alleviate some anxiety knowing who (and how many) people will be there. Such information could also assist you with thinking up some questions to ask for the interview.

Is there anything in addition to the interview itself that I should prepare for? Many job interviews consist of a question and answer period in addition to some type of testing or presentation process depending on the scope of the position. It’s always best to be prepared ahead of time. Sometimes, an employer may surprise job candidates, and not inform them of any tests.

Be rational.

If a job posting lists proficiency with a specific program, or that the position requires a good amount of public speaking, chances are you will be tested on the competencies that are heavily weighted within the job description.

Lidia Siino is the Professional Development and Communications Strategist for MCACES, the Mohawk College Association of Continuing Education Students. MCACESBlogs is a series of blog posts created by students and faculty from the Career Consultant Certificate Program for readers seeking new and improved levels of employment. Like what you read? Be sure to follow MCACESBlogs. Happy reading!